Ban smacking, say UK children's commissioners

The UK's four children's commissioners have called for a complete ban on parents smacking their children.

Under current law in England and Wales, parents can exercise "reasonable punishment" of their children. This includes mild smacking, as long as no implement is used and no mark left.

Similar provisions apply in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

But the children’s commissioners for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have demanded a ban on smacking.

In a report submitted to the UN, they call for the government “immediately prohibit all corporal punishment in the family.”

The commissioners call on the Government to “actively promote positive and non-violent forms of childrearing and behaviour management.”

Christian Concern’s chief executive, Andrea Williams, said:

“There is an important issue of parental freedom at stake here. A blanket ban on smacking would be a damaging invasion of government into family life. The law already prohibits physical injury to children.“The absence of discipline is detrimental to children’s wellbeing. We need to strike the right balance.

“As long as parents operate within the current law, they should be free to discipline their children in the way they believe is in their children’s best interest.”

Created under the Labour Government in 2004, the role of children’s commissioner for each nation within the UK carries with it the responsibility for “promoting awareness of the views and interests of children”. Each must have regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Adopted by the UN in 1989 and ratified by the UK in 1991, the UNCRC covers issues as varied as kidnapping, child sex exploitation and access to education.

Under Article 19, countries that are party to the convention are required to take “all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.”

The practical application of that requirement remains contentious.

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Related Coverage:
Smacking should be banned, says four UK children's commissioners who back 'non-violent forms of child rearing' (Mail)
Smacking must be banned to bring UK into line with international law - report to UN insists (Telegraph)